Since 1955, the Metropolis of Pittsburgh has been housed in a three-story, now 120 year-old residence in the Shadyside neighborhood. In 2012-2013, with increasing maintenance costs, a lack of meeting space adequate to even basic needs, a small kitchen and even smaller offices, no secure records storage, no on-street parking (after navigating Pittsburgh’s traffic challenges to get there), Metropolitan Savas challenged us to do better.

His Eminence chose to forego living in the Metropolitan’s residence next door to the center to help ‘seed the field’ through its sale and resulting net proceeds of approximately $300,000. Since that moment, and to this date, more than $7 million has been raised for a new Metropolis Center.

Two adjacent parcels in Washington Township, PA have been donated by the Kursturiss and Pihakis families, totaling nearly 20 acres of land that sits near the confluence of I-79 and I-70. After years of geological site analysis and engineering and negotiating architectural design, the design phase of the new Metropolis Center is complete. Highlights include:

• 15,000 square-foot facility
• Including 1,000 square-foot Chapel
• Chapel is adjacent to dining hall that converts into the Nave for increased attendance
• Offices for every function – Metropolitan, Chancellor, Youth, Camp, Philoptochos, etc.
• Caterer’s kitchen with in-house ware storage, washing, and dry good storage
• Outdoor patio with a 100-person dining capacity
• Sizable library/conference room
• Temperature-controlled, fire suppressed records storage rooms
• 2,000-square foot Metropolitan’s residence with connecting walkway

At the 2021 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Asssembly, a presentation will be made leading to a motion to approve an expenditure of approximately $12,500,000 for these construction and ancillary costs:

Total Project Budget $12,500,000

• Facility & Parsonage Construction $6,050,000
• Excavation, Site Prep, Paving $2,100,000
• Furnishings, Chapel Décor $1,100,000
• Architect & Engineering $450,000
• Relocation Expenses $165,000
• Operational Endowment $2,100,000
• Five-Year Campaign Cost $535,000

These costs are predicated on quotes previously received. Given today’s supply chain and labor issues, these costs may change. We expect to have revised and updated general contractor’s quotes prior to the assembly. Those costs will reflect current bids. Metropolis Council Vice Chair Nick Lekas (from Annunciation GOC, Akron, OH) is serving as Project Manager. Please contact him with any questions or concerns at (330) 618-1488 or at [email protected]. He will be making the presentation at the at the Assembly.